Director of Finance

About DreamYard

DreamYard is a Bronx-based arts and social justice education organization that partners with young people, families, and schools to expand pathways to equity and opportunity. DreamYard is committed to being an anti-racist organization and to advancing its mission through strong community partnerships, sustained learning, and responsible stewardship of resources.

Position Summary

The Director of Finance owns DreamYard's accounting, budgeting, forecasting, cash management, grant finance, reporting, audit, and internal-control functions. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the Director translates financial information into clear recommendations for leadership and the Board, manages the accountant, and ensures timely, accurate, GAAP-compliant financial operations. The role combines strategic planning with hands-on review and, when needed, transaction-level support.


Key Responsibilities

Financial Planning, Forecasting, and Analysis

• Lead the annual organization-wide budget process; build the budget calendar, templates, assumptions, department targets, and final consolidated budget for leadership and Board approval.
• Distribute monthly budget-to-actual reports to department leaders and hold monthly variance reviews with budget owners; investigate material variances, document explanations, and update the full-year forecast and action plan.
• Maintain a rolling cash-flow forecast, monitor bank balances and liquidity, and alert the COO to projected shortfalls, timing risks, or financing needs.
• Prepare quarterly forecasts, multi-year financial scenarios, contingency plans, and trend analyses covering revenue, expenses, staffing, cash, and reserves.
• Prepare Finance Committee and Board materials, including financial statements, budget-to-actual results, cash outlook, key risks, and management recommendations.
• Partner with the COO and external financial consultant on financial strategy, complex accounting matters, multi-year scenarios, and organizational risk management.
• Participate in Leadership Team meetings and connect financial decisions to DreamYard's mission, operating priorities, and racial-equity commitments.

Accounting and Month-End Close

• Own the monthly close calendar and review accounts payable, accounts receivable, bank and credit-card reconciliations, payroll entries, accruals, prepaids, and other close schedules completed by the accountant.
• Review the trial balance and reconcile all balance-sheet accounts monthly; investigate unusual balances, aging items and suspense activity.
• Produce monthly GAAP financial statements and management reports, including the statement of financial position, statement of activities, and budget-to-actual analysis.
• Maintain the chart of accounts, dimensions, reporting structures, close checklists, and supporting workpapers so reports can be produced consistently from the accounting system.

Grant, Contract, and Revenue Management

• Review grant and contract agreements when awarded; document funding amount, period, restrictions, match requirements, reporting deadlines, billing terms, and revenue-recognition treatment
• Maintain grant budgets and revenue schedules and reconcile restricted net assets, releases from restriction, receivables, deferred revenue, and grant expenses each month.
• Coordinate with Development and Program teams to verify coding, allowable costs, budget availability, deliverables, and reporting data before invoices or funder reports are submitted.
• Oversee government contract billing portals and schedules; review invoices and supporting documentation, track submissions and collections, and escalate overdue receivables.
• Review financial reports for foundation, corporate, and government funders and ensure reported amounts tie to the general ledger.
• Collaborate with Director of Development on monthly reconciliation reports and meetings with leadership

Controls, Audit, Systems, and Team Management

• Lead the annual financial-statement audit: prepare the audit timeline and request list, assign schedules, review workpapers, coordinate responses, and track open items through issuance.
• Maintain and update finance policies, approval limits, segregation of duties, documentation standards, and internal controls; test adherence and remediate exceptions.
• Ensure compliance with GAAP, nonprofit reporting requirements, grant terms, tax and regulatory filings, and organizational policies.
• Supervise the accountant through clear work assignments, coaching, and training.
• Improve and document finance workflows; standardize recurring reports, reduce manual work, automate appropriate processes, and strengthen real-time access to accurate data.
• Administer and optimize Sage Intacct and connected finance tools, including user access, dimensions, report logic, integrations, and data-quality controls.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field; CPA is a plus.
• Seven or more years of progressively responsible nonprofit accounting and finance experience, preferably in a grant-funded organization.
• Demonstrated experience leading budgeting, forecasting, month-end close, financial reporting, cash management, audit preparation, and internal controls.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, nonprofit financial reporting, restricted contributions, government contracts, grant accounting, and revenue recognition.
• Advanced Excel skills and proficiency with accounting systems; Sage Intacct experience is strongly preferred.
• Ability to prepare and analyze financial statements, identify risks and trends, and convert findings into practical recommendations.
• Experience supervising accounting staff and setting clear standards for accuracy, timeliness, documentation, and follow-through.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to explain complex financial matters to staff, leadership, Board members, and other non-financial stakeholders.
• Strong judgment, attention to detail, time management, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.
• Commitment to DreamYard's mission, core values, and anti-racism commitment.

Compensation and Benefits

This is a full-time, hybrid, exempt position with a salary range of $125,000-$140,000 commensurate with experience. DreamYard offers a comprehensive benefits package and generous paid time off.

Equal Opportunity Statement

DreamYard is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, age, national origin, genetic characteristics, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, sexual identity, or any other status protected by applicable law. DreamYard welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds; Bronx-based and Spanish-speaking applicants are strongly encouraged to apply.